Chapter 3 Project 2: The Benefits of Bacteria Poster
Bacteria often get a bad rap! Create an A3 size poster that tells the “good” story about these microorganisms. Research ONE of the following topics regarding bacteria:
  1. Cyanobacteria (a.k.a. blue-green bacteria or blue-green algae) (pp.63-64)
http://www.microbeworld.org/resources/gallery_02_cyan.htm
http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/dlc-me/zoo/zwpmain.html#cyanobacteria
  1. Methanogens (pp.65 and 70)
http://www.microbeworld.org/resources/gallery_04_meth.htm
http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/dlc-me/zoo/zqq01025.html
  1. Health: medicine, digestion, etc (p.67): e.g. Bacillus (antibiotics p.67), Lactobacillus and Escherichia coli (digestion)
http://www.microbeworld.org/resources/gallery_03_ecoli.htm
  1. Environment (decomposition and clean-up): saprophytic bacteria and bioremediation (p.68)
  2. Environment (nitrogen): nitrogen-fixing bacteria (pp.68-69)
  3. Food and industry (p.70): e.g. Streptococcus lactis (buttermilk), Bacillus lactis (sauerkraut)

Your A3 size poster must include the following:
Your name(s) and date
Title: e.g. “Most Beneficial Bacteria” (be creative)
The name(s) of your bacteria or bacterium (you can add humor, e.g., Crazy Cyanobacteria).
A large mug shot (picture or drawing) of your bacterium (about ¼ of your poster)
A brief description of your bacteria/bacterium, including:
Shape (bacilli, cocci or spirilla)
Motility: how does it move?
How does it reproduce (must be detailed)?
o Describe why reproduction is important for your bacteria
o Asexual or sexual reproduction? Describe in detail
o Describe 2-3 advantageous of how your bacteria reproduce
How does it obtain food and energy (e.g. aerobic or anaerobic)?
Classification (Taxonomy):
What kingdom does it belong to (Archaebacteria or Eubacteria)?
What major group does it belong to (producer or consumer)?
Ecology:
Habitat: Where is its favourite hangout (where does it live)?
What important ecological role(s) does it play (if any)?
Explain the benefits of your bacteria or bacterium (e.g., yogurt helper)

Research: Use your textbook and the internet. These additional websites will also help you complete your poster:
  1. National Geographic (Bacteria primer): http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngkids/0010/bacteria/
  2. Microbe World: http://www.microbeworld.org/resources/gallery.aspx
http://www.microbeworld.org/microbes/bacteria/default.aspx
  1. Excellent collection of electron-microscopic pictures, by bacterial species name or keywords: http://www.denniskunkel.com/index.php
  2. The Microbe Zoo: http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/dlc-me/zoo/index.html
http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/dlc-me/
  1. http://en.wikipedia.org